Seetha Amman Temple

Dedicated to Sitadevi, the wife of Lord Rama is the Sita Amman Temple, sitting in the hills of Nuwara Eliya. Regarded with abiding devotion by Hindus, it is considered to be the only such temple in the world. It can be found 5 kilometres en route the road from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy. This temple is special and significant in relevance to the story behind its origin – it was where Sitadevi had been imprisoned by King Ravana because she had refused to stay in his palace approximately 5000 years ago.
Devotees believe that this place shows signs of the monkey-god Hanuman’s feet when he had rested here after the battle to rescue Sita from Ravana since there is presence of footprints by the river. These footprints were of different sizes which indicate that Lord Hanuman had immense powers to transform into any size. People also say that on the opposite bank of the river, there is a rock upon which Sita sat and meditated. The river that flows from the hill had provided for the needs of Sita during her stay and she is said to have bathed in this river.
Three idols had been discovered in the river a century ago, of which one was of Sita. Therefore these idols have been worshipped at this site for many years. Devotees flock to this area where Sita had bathed, the rock she had sat on and where she had spent her time in prayer. Many of the people believe that this phase of the epic tale of Ramayana had taken place here, thereby making this area a popular tourist location.
The pooja timings of the temple are from 8am – 1pm in the mornings and 2pm – 6:30pm in the afternoons.